Nice, Richard. I’m glad you’re here.

Pamela,
I’m very new to Alyson’s IRBIS program, but I feel compelled to chime in with a description of what I do for my writing and jewelry making.

I keep a folder named ART BLOG on the desktop of my computer. Most days I put images from on-line, ideas for new approaches to design, etc, basically anyhting that feels creative in the writing side of my craft.

I have intentions of publishing a book about a process of making my own materials for jewelry making that I can teach to others. I do not post my blog on-line. Up to the present time, it is solely for my own indulgence in reflecting on my concerns, goals, problems and successes.

It is a great comfort to me that I have this record, complete with dates, images and any other data that may be used later IF I decide to use it in my book and/or an on-line blog.

Why refrain from writing your blog. You may well be the most important and appreciative audience for it, at least for now. And if you do start your blog again, you would have plenty of resoures for it.

Best wishes for your happy outcome.

I have always wanted to have a blog but didn’t know where or how to get it started. Where and how does an artist start a blog? I don’t think of it as a should but a do. A blog might help me to straighten things in my mind when I’m stuck.

Like others have stated, your “shoulds” letter is timely and spot on. Thank you, Alyson.

Loved this. With a family, occasional teaching, a blog that needs work, commitments right, left and center, I could get lost in shoulds. My husband and I say “shoulda, coulda, woulda.” Even the fact that we “should” be painting is a should. Sometimes we can’t. All kinds of events and obligations, both great and not so great, get in the way. And what we “could” do is love ourselves enough to know that we do paint, will paint, and can give ourselves slack whenever we need it. I think that is everything. When I taught positive psychology at a community college I discovered that one of the things holding students back from being creative was the word “should.” You are so right. Almost all of the shoulds come from someone else. So the answer is to love what you do, and do it as much as possible. One of the things I love is reading your work. And anytime you need a break I am 100% with you.
XOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Alyson, I read back on my blog, I can see that it’s more about teaching and creativity than my paintings, you’re right about my needing to explain my interest in the kids’ art. You’ve got me thinking about it in a new way. I’ll try and make it work and if it doesn’t I’ll have fun with it anyway.

Thank you!

That’s a different way to put it, Sharon. See the text from Sharyn’s old poster above.